At Jade Aden Steel, we are your comprehensive structural steel experts, operating at the forefront of this highly specialised and technical field.
This makes us very qualified to discuss the qualities of steel when using it in construction projects, as our engineers have decades of collective experience working on projects of all shapes and sizes.
With our intimate knowledge of steel, we’re well placed to discuss where it places among other popular construction materials.
In the modern day, there are three main construction materials used in the vast majority of projects – steel, reinforced concrete, and wood/timber. Each has varying qualities that make it suitable for specific applications.
Let’s take a look at some of the main strengths of structural steel, and how the other two materials compare. You can also find out how to get in contact with our experts to ask any pressing questions.
HIGH STRENGTH TO WEIGHT RATIO
One of the most important and outstanding features of structural steel is its high strength-to-weight ratio. Because of the internal make up of steel, relatively little steel supports a surprisingly high amount of weight.
This quality makes steel perfect for a large number of structural applications, and is a big reason why it is so popular in modern day urban construction.
High-rise buildings, long-span bridges and geologically unstable areas all rely on this quality to provide the appropriate strength and flexibility.
While reinforced concrete is renowned for its strength, its compressive strength is actually less than structural steel – meaning you have to use more reinforced concrete for the same results.
What’s more, concrete is susceptible to shrinking, which can damage structural integrity and lose strength.
In the case of wood/timber, due to its natural properties, it also suffers from shrinking, as well as swelling. Wood will always absorb or eject moisture depending on the fibre saturation point, and is vulnerable to dangers such as fire, adverse weather, chemicals, infestations, and rot.
HIGH INSTALLATION SPEED
Another reason you’ll find structural steel in most modern, large scale construction projects is because it is quick and easy to install. This means that costs are reduced across a number of metrics, including labour.
With reinforced concrete, it is much more difficult to install, far fiddlier to store and mix, as well as prepare for installation. The ingredients need to be stored separately in order to prevent the mixture from reacting ahead of time, and then prepared on site with time allocated to the curing process too.
Wood and timber don’t suffer from such issues, as it is easily stored, edited and prepared – however, steel possesses far more strength and corrosion resistance, as well as deflecting or denting before complete failure. Wood does not have this flexibility, making it more suitable for residential and low-rise buildings.
EASE OF REPAIR
In general, steel structures can be repaired and maintained with relative ease – due to the nature of the way structural steel is installed, beams can be removed and replaced like puzzle pieces.
With reinforced concrete, over a long period of time the reinforcing steel can become corroded– which is a tricky and lengthy repair task to complete. Furthermore, the concrete aggregate itself can crack and lesion under pressure or continued wear and tear.
While wood and timber are relatively easy to repair, with the material being very malleable compared to steel and concrete, it suffers far more from degradation and wear and tear, meaning maintenance could be far more frequent when compared to steel.
CHOOSE JADE ADEN STEEL FOR BESPOKE, HIGH QUALITY STEEL FRAMING
We hope that having read this article you have a better idea of where Jade Aden’s structural steel falls into the industrial eco-system, and why most urban projects with go with this method above concrete or wood.
If you have any other questions or would like to get in touch with a member of our friendly team, you can give us a call – on 01202 622252 in Dorset, and 01752 698844 in Devon.
